2017 State League One – Round 7:

Melbourne Uni have shown their credentials again against a team looking to challenge their position on the table. A tight start saw Melbourne Uni take an early lead. This was soon diminished with a Footscray equaliser. The game was back and forth with both keepers putting on top class displays to repel attack after attack. Melbourne uni managed to get another breakthrough before the half to go into the break with a narrow lead. From there it was all Melbourne uni with Footscray providing attacks that where easily repelled by top class goal keeping from Anandra Prakoso in what proved to be the difference. Where he was repelling attacks his attackers where making their way up the court and taking their chances. Two quick goals saw Melbourne uni post what proved to be an insurmountable lead.

Doncaster have again flexed their muscles as the top placed team as they easily brush past a hard fighting RMIT. Doncaster was on top from the opening minutes with their attacks resulting in serious threats on the RMIT goal. Some fantastic saves from the RMIT goal keeper weren’t enough to hold off the attacks of Doncaster as Monty Alkhridah managed a first half hat-trick. The second half started in the same fashion as the first with Doncaster again presenting their best as they broke down the RMIT defence with ease. To RMIT’s credit they weren’t disheartened by the major deficit continuing to make attempts on the Doncaster goal and some great attacking plays falling just short where the Doncaster plays managed to find the back of the net. In the end it was another major success for Doncaster.

A huge second half effort sees the second placed Mt. Evelyn fight off a tough South Melbourne to avoid a huge upset loss. South Melbourne started the game fast finding their way past the Mt. Evelyn defence with relative ease and managing to get three goals past the keeper. Mt. Evelyn looked stunned as they only managed a solitary goal before the end of the first half. After half time two different teams stepped out on the pitch with a determined Mt. Evelyn gritting their teeth and showing their quality as South Melbourne dropped off back to how they had been playing for most of the season. The second half showed that Mt. Evelyn has what it takes to be a serious contender this season warding off a bad start to sneak an encouraging win.

Third placed Preston have been upset by Melbourne Athletic. Melbourne managed to get the jump on the higher placed Preston as they hit when it mattered. The first half was dominated by Preston who had shot after shot all of which where repelled by the massive efforts of young goal keeper Adrian Alonso who looked at home between the sticks. Going the other way Melbourne managed to show their best hitting twice in the first half. Coming into half time Preston looked sapped of confidence. As the second half opened a new Preston appeared showing the attacking flair that saw them sitting third on the table. Again it was Alonso who kept the rampant Preston at bay but the constant attacks proved too much as Nathan Atzarakis managed to score two quick goals to get Preston on equal terms again. The game hung in the balance until the final seconds when a miracle goal from Melbourne veteran Mathew Crockford swung into the bottom right corner to give Melbourne a massive upset win.